Cone of poison: The secret behind the cone snail's venom pump
Thursday, October 28, 2010 - 23:30
in Biology & Nature
Scientists have discovered the secret of how an amazing sea snail injects its venom after shooting a harpoon-like tooth into its prey -- or some unlucky swimmer -- at jetliner speeds. The creatures, called cone snails, use a highly specialized structure that instantly pumps the paralyzing venom through the tooth and into its target.